This past Sunday I felt the full effect of the word bittersweet: the sharp joy and pain of being with you in our virtual platform, knowing that we were beginning the process of saying goodbye. (If you have missed the context, read my letter here.)

Now, I have to tell you something. I really hate goodbyes. I’m the one who, when my parents head off after a visit, rush into the house because “it’s bad luck to watch the car leave” and then crash around cleaning up and sniffling and pretending everything is JUST FINE. Goodbyes, when we know we won’t see the person we care about for some time, are just so…emotion-y.

So messy. So scary in how they can make us feel. 

But for you, WES, I’ll be facing my fear. 

In fact, I am committed to having as much goodbye time as we can. Now, we don’t need to spend our next few months together just saying goodbye. We will have work to do together, pastoral counseling appointments to make, platforms to plan–all the regular parts of clergy leadership at WES that have been so nourishing for me for twelve years. It’s just that we may also have that bittersweet feeling as a kind of patina over those connections, and we will surely plan several specific ways to say goodbye as well. (Starting this Wednesday at 5:30pm, which isn’t so much goodbye time as just connect-with-Amanda or bring-your-questions or process-your-emotions time). 

There’s no question that feels more complicated while we are socially distant. I hold a lot of sadness about the timing of my departure, and you may too (or you may be angry with me about the timing–that’s quite understandable). I’ve thought of some ideas, like hosting some Zoom teas–BYO teacup–or even having a few days where I keep my Zoom room open most of the day for people to just stop by anytime! I hope we might have a Zoom roast/toast, and there are some great online games that could offer us laughter and that “party” feel. I want to be clear: I really really wish that I could hug you (if you’re a hugger) or high five you (if you’re not) or just stand near you and hang out. Not being able to do that right now is hard. And, we will figure out the next best thing, during this time of next best things.   

Speaking of next things, the Board will be sharing more information later in the week about their next steps to ensure a smooth transition through the interim time. I’ll be working with the staff and volunteers to do the same on the program end of things. A special note: we are still trying to figure out Spring Festival this year and how to experience that together, virtually. If you’d like to be involved in that creative building together, please let me know! 

I will be away April 25th through May 3rd–available only for pastoral emergencies–as I get to know the folks at UU Church of Arlington. Of course WES programming, including platforms, will continue during that time. And then I’ll be back through June; the Board and I will work together to determine exact timing and to ensure pastoral coverage at WES. 

Goodbyes are hard. And they are worth it, as we explore this chapter in our story together. Here’s to all the bittersweet times we will create in the coming months…and to the realization that in addition to “what next?” we want to be sure to ask “what now?” and be present in the moment we have, together, right now. I hope to “see” you at platform this coming Sunday to explore that question. Next, now, and in between: we are taking this final chapter’s journey together.

 
Warmly,

Amanda